Ergobaby Embrace vs Omni 360

Are you trying to decide between the Ergobaby Embrace vs Omni 360?

Then let us help you decide which baby carrier is best for you and your baby with our Ergobaby 360 vs Omni review.

Ergobaby created the Embrace and Omni 360, but these two carriers aren’t the same. You’ll find several key differences, so it’s essential to know them as you compare Ergobaby Embrace vs 360.

Babywearing is a great tool that allows parents to get things done around the house hands-free or travel without a stroller. If you head to a festival, leave the stroller behind and wear your baby – it’s safe and comfortable for both of you.

As you research options, you’ll quickly realize there are dozens of options, and Ergobaby is one of the leading brands, creating carriers for over 15 years. Their high-quality products are known for lasting years, so when you like two of their options, you have to start comparing.

So, in this Ergobaby Embrace and Ergobaby Omni 360 review you’ll learn the key features of each carrier as well as their similarities and differences so you can easily decide which carrier is best for you and your baby.

And if you love this comparison guide on Ergobaby Omni 360 vs Embrace, then make sure to check out these guides on best carriers for toddlers, Lillebaby vs Ergobaby, Tula vs Ergobaby, and Infantino vs Ergobaby.

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Ergobaby Embrace vs Omni 360

Before we make comparisons, it’s important to look at the features of each carrier and its overall design.

All About the Ergobaby Embrace

The Ergobaby Embrace is a soft structured carrier that feels more like a wrap because of its stretchy, knit design. Its unique design creates an easy-to-use carrier for parents who love the wrap-style carrier but feel intimidated by all the long fabric.

The Embrace works for newborn babies from 7lbs up to 25lbs; the ideal upper age range is 12 to 18 months, and you don’t have to use an infant insert with your tiny baby. However, it’s important to note that this is not a carrier meant for toddlerhood or even heavier infants.

As your baby grows from a newborn to an infant, the carrier adjusts by offering two seat positions. Parents adjust the seat by unfolding or folding the waistband, so it’s simple and only takes a few seconds to adjust.

The Embrace also offers three carrying positions: newborn, baby facing in, and baby facing out. This gives parents the versatility they need to carry their baby how they want, but these positions aren’t ideal for older infants.

One of the unique features of the Embrace is the wide shoulder strap that mimics the passes of a wrap baby carrier. The straps are wide, distributing your infant’s weight across your entire shoulder rather than creating pressure points of discomfort. Like wraps, these straps cross at the back, but it’s the only way to wear them; you can’t wear them like the traditional H-style of an SSC.

Ergo also added other comfort features for parents, such as padded leg openings and a padded head and neck support. These help your baby stay more comfortable, and don’t forget – this is a hip-friendly carrier, certified by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

Since the Embrace is designed to feel like a wrap rather than an SSC, Ergo used a light, stretchy knit material to create the body of this carrier. Parents say it feels so cozy and cuddly, especially with a newborn baby, and it molds to your baby’s body nicely, giving ample support.

While this carrier isn’t cotton, the knit material is machine washable, so if your baby makes a mess on the carrier, all you have to do is toss it in the washing machine.

Pros

• Lightweight, Knit Fabric
• Two Seat Adjustments
• Wide Shoulder Straps
• Three Carrying Positions
• Easy to Use

Cons

• It only Goes Up to 25lbs
• No Lumbar Support
• No Back Carry Option

All About the Ergobaby Omni 360

The Ergobaby Omni 360 is an upgraded version of their Ergobaby Original 360 with features parents wanted to see. The 360 was their best-selling baby carrier, but it still had room for improvement, so Ergo took the feedback and added it to their already excellent carrier.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 has a weight range from 7 to 45 pounds, and you don’t have to use an infant insert for newborns. Instead, the carrier grows with your baby since the back panel unfolds, getting longer as your child gets bigger, and the seat width adjusts, creating a customized fit for your baby.

We love adjustability!

Ergo includes three seat widths for the Omni 360: newborn, infant, and toddler. Parents easily adjust the seat with a Velcro strap, and the seat widths ensure your baby is kept in an ergonomic, hip-safe position. It’s crucial to keep infants in an ergonomic seat to avoid added pressure on their hip bones and spine. The Omni 360 is recognized as a hip-friendly baby carrier because of its seat design.

The Omni 360 features multiple positions for parents to carry their baby. The four carrying positions are: front facing inward, front facing outward, back carry, and hip carry. The front-facing positions have multiple seat adjustments, and the back and hip carry have two seat positions. Hip and back carry are ideal for older infants, six months old and up. Hip-carrying is perfect for breastfeeding infants and toddlers, and my parents often naturally carry their child in this position.

Ergo focuses on the comfort of parents as well. The attached lumbar support pillow protects your lower back from added strain, which parents experience while carrying infants and toddlers for long periods. The pillow isn’t detachable, so you never have to worry about losing the pillow. The well-padded waistband and shoulder straps protect your body from your child’s weight, and the shoulder straps can be worn in the traditional H-style or X-style, crossing your back for weight distribution.

Something to keep in mind is that, while the shoulder straps and waistband have plenty of padding, women with petite body frames feel as if they are bulky and overwhelming.

Parents love the matching sun hood that comes with the Ergobaby Omni 360. This hood protects your infant’s head from the sun and gives privacy while breastfeeding. The whole carrier, including the hood, is made with 100% cotton and features an antimicrobial fabric layer between your baby and the world. The cotton fabric also means this carrier is machine washable.

Pros

• 7 to 45 Pound Weight Range
• No Infant Insert Needed
• Adjustable Seat
• Four Carrying Positions
• Machine Washable
• Lumbar Support

Cons

• Bulky Straps Not Ideal for Petite Body Frames
• Storage Pouch Not Attached

Similarities and Differences Between Ergobaby Omni 360 vs Embrace

Weight Range

One of the first differences you’ll notice is the weight range; these carriers aren’t designed the same way.

While both carriers do not need an infant insert, the Ergobaby Embrace is explicitly designed to carry newborns and young infants with a weight range between 7 and 25 lbs. This weight range works great if you only intend to carry your young infant in the carrier, but if you want to extend your babywearing years, this is limiting.

On the other hand, the Ergobaby Omni 360 has a larger age range from 7 lbs to 45 lbs. The design of the Omni 360 is to be used from birth to toddlerhood without an infant insert.

So, how long do you plan to use this carrier?

Seat Adjustments

Any newer style of carrier created by Ergobaby comes with seat adjustments, and that’s true for the Embrace vs Omni 360. However, their adjustments aren’t the same, so it’s essential to understand the differences.

The Omni 360 features velcro tabs on the waist belt, allowing you to adjust easily to the three-seat widths. The positions are newborn, infant, and toddler. It’s easy to switch from facing inward to facing outward as well with the one-handed slider adjustment. 

The Embrace is a bit different. It has two seat width adjustments that you access by folding the waistband. If you fold the waistband inward twice and cinch it in the middle, it turns into newborn mode. In this mode, the back panel shortens as well, while the base narrows. However, the difference when your baby is older isn’t much change since this carrier only works up to 12 to 18 months.

Fit for All

Ergobaby is known for creating carriers that fit many body types. Both carriers include a wide range from XS to XXL, and Ergo offers an extender.

The Omni 360’s waistband strap extends up to 52” long, great for plus-size moms, and the extender is available. The Embrace has the same waistband length, so it works for petite and plus-size parents.

Fabric

The fabric used is a key difference you’ll discover about the Ergobaby Embrace vs Omni 360. Ergo used a knit fabric that feels similar to a wrap when creating the Embrace; it’s a unique fabric choice for a soft structured carrier.

Overall, this lightweight fabric is cozy and gives you a structured hold for your baby. It also feels less bulky than cotton and other SSCs, so it’s great for all-year use.

Ergo used cotton for their Omni 360, an excellent pick for hot weather since cotton is breathable and allows plenty of air circulation. They also added an antimicrobial fabric barrier, a unique feature that protects your baby from the outside world.

If you live in a hot climate, Ergo created a mesh version of their Omni 360; this allows for even more air circulation.

Comfort & Shoulder Straps

Parents need and want a comfortable baby carrier that offers support for their bodies, and one carrier outshines the other in this department.

The Embrace has a unique design with shoulder straps that resemble a wrap more than a soft structured carrier. These straps are wide and criss-cross over your back; spread the straps over your shoulders when facing inward and keep them pulled inward when facing outward.

These straps are thin and stretchy without any padding offered by the Omni. While some parents like this style of straps, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to comfort, and a lot of reviews say the shoulder straps don’t stay in place well, especially if you have broad shoulders.

The Omni 360 has well-padded, adjustable shoulder straps that are wearable in two ways: H-style and X-style. This versatility gives parents a choice of how to best wear their baby; the criss-cross style distributes a baby’s weight evenly across their back. It’s ideal for older infants and toddlers.

Another comfort factor is lumbar support, but only the Omni 360 includes built-in lumbar support. This lets you wear your baby or toddler for long periods without straining your lower back. The Embrace doesn’t offer any lumbar support, but this is because the carrier has a low weight range.

Support for Baby

The support the carrier provides to your baby matters as well. Ergobaby Embrace and Omi 360 are deemed hip-friendly by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, so you can feel confident that your child is always kept in a safe position for their hips and spine.

Another support aspect is the head support. Omni and Embrace offer head support, but the design’s practicality and usefulness are debatable.

Don’t forget the leg padding!

Both the Omni 360 and Embrace offer some leg padding to provide comfort for your infant. The leg support offered by the Omni 360 is defined and structured, but the Embrace’s padding is barely noticeable. Unfortunately, that means reviews are lacking in this area; some parents complain that the Embrace leaves marks and pinches their baby’s legs.

Ergo claims that they added a padded head and neck support to the Embrace carrier, covering and supporting your baby up to their mid-ear level. However, you’ll find mixed reviews about this support. Some claim that it works well and allows them to work hands-free without worries, but other parents find the support lacking, so they often have to hold their baby’s head.

On the other hand, the Ergobaby Omni 360 uses the front panel as head and neck support, folding and unfolding based on your child’s needs and buckling it in place. Some parents say this support presses against their baby’s head, and they don’t feel as cozy as hoped. However, it’s nice for older babies, especially sleeping babies, and gives support when facing outward.

Breastfeeding Friendly

If you’re a nursing mom, you’ll want to make sure the baby carrier you pick is breastfeeding-friendly, and the good news is both Embrace and Omni 360 are considered so. Moms adjust these carriers while nursing, loosening the carrier to find the perfect position. They both provide support, so you can go about your life while simultaneously cleaning, washing dishes, grocery shopping, and breastfeeding.

Carrying Positions

One of the significant differences between Embrace and Omni 360 is the available carrying positions, which matters when deciding which carrier you want the most.

The Omni 360 offers four carrying positions: front facing inward, front facing outward, back carry, and hip carry. These positions also have multiple seat widths, creating plenty of parental options.

On the other hand, the Embrace offers three carrying positions, all designed for newborns and young infants. These positions are newborn mode, baby facing inward, and baby facing outward.

So, if you want a baby carrier that offers positions for older infants and toddlers, the Embrace won’t be a good choice. On the other hand, the Omni 360 offers two carrying positions for older infants, like back and hip carry, combined with more seat adjustments and a higher weight range.

Maintenance

Something else that matters when comparing baby carriers is the ease of maintenance. Luckily, the Embrace and Omni 360 are machine washable, but using the dryer for either carrier is not ideal. No one wants to spot clean or hand wash a carrier, so this is an excellent checkmark for both options.

Extra Features

The Omni 360 has two extra features that the Embrace doesn’t have: a storage pouch and a privacy hood. Ergo includes a detachable pouch that gives parents a place to keep diapers, keys, and other small essentials while out and about with their babies.

The privacy hood is a major lacking spot of the Embrace. The Omni has a built-in hood that parents use for sun protection, support while sleeping, and privacy while breastfeeding.

Warranty

All Ergobaby carriers manufactured in 2017 and after come with the ErgoPromise Lifetime Guarantee. This means that Ergobaby will replace defective products at no charge for the product’s lifetime.

Price

The price is a consideration as the Ergo Omni is much more expensive that the Embrace.

However, the price difference is due to the features and intentions of each carrier. Parents won’t use the Embrace as long as they use the Omni, and the designs showcase the differences. Both are worth the price you would pay for them.

Final Thoughts On Ergo Embrace vs Omni 360

The differences between the Ergobaby Embrace vs Omni 360 are evident.

If you plan to buy a carrier that will last from birth until toddlerhood, the Omni 360 is an excellent option; that’s precisely what it does. It works from 7lbs to 45 lbs with all the body support needed to babywear for the long term.

Parents who want a carrier for the first year of life but feel intimidated by using a wrap carrier should go for the Embrace. While wraps are fantastic, they have a learning curve parents feel intimidated by, and the Embrace gives you that feel with buckles. However, if you decide to babywear after 12 to 18 months, you’ll need a carrier with a higher weight limit.

And if you’re looking for more great babywearing guides, then check out these guides on Ergobaby Original vs 360, best baby carriers for bad backs, best baby carriers for petite moms, and best baby carriers for plus size moms.